Bed foundation method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for sleeping or relaxing employing a hollow foundation interposed between a bedframe and a mattress, with the foundation adapted for the storage of objects by including at least one storage drawer that extends from a frame of the foundation to its interior, the frame having opposed elongated sides and the storage drawer extends into the foundation from one of its elongated sides and from the opposite one of the elongated sides so that a plurality of storage drawers can occupy substantially the entire interior of the foundation.

BACKGROUND OF TILE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to foundations for mattresses used withbeds, and more particularly to enhanced utilizations of suchfoundations.

[0002] Foundations are used with mattresses in order to elevate themattress to an appropriate height in relation to a bed frame upon whichthe foundation rests. The typical foundation has a hollow frame Becausethe interior is hollow, the entire foundation is covered to conceal thehollow interior and give the appearance that the foundation is a solidsupport element. As a result the foundation has an inaccessible interiorcompartment.

[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to adapt thefoundation for additional usage with respect to its role as providing anintervening support between a mattress and a bedframe.

[0004] A further object of the invention is to adapt foundations formattresses in a simple, inexpensive and utilitarian fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the inventionprovides an encased foundation that is adapted to be positioned upon abed frame for supporting a mattress, and adapting the encased foundationfor the storage of objects within the foundation.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the invention the foundation isan encased hollow frame that is converted into an accessible storagecompartment having at least one storage drawer which extends from theexterior of the frame to the interior of the foundation.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the frame hasopposed elongated sides and the storage drawer extends into thefoundation from one of the elongated sides, and a further storage drawerextends into the foundation from the opposite one of the elongatedsides.

[0008] The bed frame upon which the foundation is placed is formed by aplanar assemblage of support members which are positionable above afloor, and a plurality of storage drawers extend into the foundationfrom one of the elongated sides, and another a plurality of storagedrawers can extend into the foundation from the opposite one of theelongated sides. A plurality of storage drawers can occupy substantiallythe entire interior of the foundation.

[0009] In accordance with a method of the invention, the steps include(a) providing a bed frame; (b) adapting an encased foundation having ahollow interior for the storage of items therein; and (c) placing thefoundation upon the bed frame.

[0010] The method further includes the step of placing a mattress uponthe foundation and providing, in the foundation, at least one storagedrawer, which can extend from the exterior of the frame to the interiorof the foundation.

[0011] The frame has opposed elongated sides and the storage drawer isextended into the foundation from one of the elongated sides. A furtherstorage drawer can extend into the foundation from the opposite one ofthe elongated sides.

[0012] The bed frame is formed by a planar assemblage of supportmembers, and is positioned above a floor for supporting the foundationwith a mattress thereupon. The method further includes the step ofextending a plurality of storage drawers into the encased foundationfrom one of the elongated sides, and extending a plurality of storagedrawers into the encased foundation from the opposite one of theelongated sides.

[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the method, a plurality ofstorage drawers are positioned to occupy substantially the entireinterior of the encased foundation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed formed by a mattresssupported uponj a bed frame by an encased foundation to give themattress a suitable elevation.

[0015]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the encased foundation of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the foundation of FIG. 2A withthe encasement remove to expose the hollow interior of the foundation.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the adaptation of the encasedfoundation of FIG. 1 for the storage of objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With respect to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a bed 10 formed by astandard mattress 11 supported by a standard, encased foundation 20 upona standard bed frame 12, which is elevated above a floor F by short legs13.

[0019] The encased foundation 20 is shown in FIG. 2A as being formed bya frame with elongated and opposed side walls 21 and 22, and opposed,shorter end walls 23 and 24. The encasement of the foundation 20 is by afabric layer 25 that completely encloses the foundation to give solidityfor ease of handling.

[0020] In FIG. 2B the fabric layer 25 has been removed to expose thehollow interior H of the foundation 20.

[0021]FIG. 3 illustrates the adaptation of the encased foundation 20 ofFIGS. 1, 2A and 2B by providing a modified foundation 20′ with aplurality of storage drawers 20-1 through 20-6 that occupy the hollowinterior H of the foundation 20′.

[0022] Storage drawers 20-1 through 20-3 extend from the elongated sidewall 21 to the interior H, and storage drawers 20-4 through 20-6 extendfrom the opposite, elongated side wall 22 to the interior H. The storagedrawers are suspended within the foundation 20′ in conventional fashion.

[0023] It will be understood that the foregoing detailed description isillustrative only and that other modifications and adaptations of theinvention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. Apparatus for sleeping or relaxing comprising: a bedframe; a foundation upon said bed frame; and a mattress upon saidfoundation; wherein said foundation is adapted for the storage ofobjects.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said foundationcomprises a hollow frame.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid foundation includes at least one storage drawer.
 4. Apparatus asdefined in claim 3 wherein said storage drawer extends from said frameto the interior of said foundation.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4wherein said frame has opposed elongated sides and said storage drawerextends into said foundation from one of said elongated sides. 6.Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said a further storage drawerextends into said foundation from the opposite one of said elongatedsides.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed frame isformed by a planar assemblage of support members which are positionableabove a floor.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein a plurality ofstorage drawers extend into said foundation from one of said elongatedsides.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein a plurality of storagedrawers extend into said foundation from the opposite one of saidelongated sides.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a pluralityof storage drawers occupy substantially the entire interior of saidfoundation.
 11. The method of expediting an arrangement for sleeping orrelaxing comprising the steps of: (a) providing a bed frame; (b)adapting a foundation having a hollow interior for the storage of itemstherein; and (c) placing said foundation upon said bed frame.
 12. Themethod as defined in claim 11 further including the step of placing amattress upon said foundation.
 13. The method as defined in claim 11further including the step of providing, in said foundation, at leastone storage drawer.
 14. The method as defined in claim 13 furtherincluding the step of extending said storage drawer from said frame tothe interior of said foundation.
 15. The method as defined in claim 14wherein said frame has opposed elongated sides and said storage draweris extended into said foundation from one of said elongated sides. 16.The method as defined in claim 11 further including the step ofextending a further storage drawer into said foundation from theopposite one of said elongated sides.
 17. The method as defined in claim11 wherein said bed frame is formed by a planar assemblage of supportmembers, further including the step of positioning said bed frame abovea floor.
 18. The method as defined in claim 1 1 further including thestep of extending a plurality of storage drawers into said foundationfrom one of said elongated sides.
 19. The method as defined in claim 11further including the step of extending a plurality of storage drawersinto said foundation from the opposite one of said elongated sides. 20.The method as defined in claim 11 further including the step ofpositioning a plurality of storage drawers to occupy substantially theentire interior of said foundation.